The Mercantile Library — Attraction in Cincinnati

The Mercantile Library is a hidden gem in Cincinnati, located on the 11th floor of a handsome old building downtown. We've been members since 2007, and I've spent many happy hours in the stacks finding gems like Sir Edmund Hillary's biography and a first edition of "The Thin Man" by Dashiell Hammett.

The space itself was renovated in 2009-10 and has great study desks, wifi, and a fine periodical collection. The staff is friendly, helpful, and extremely steady -- they know they've got a good thing going. It's fun to be part of an institution that's been around for 175 years (and counting).

I've also been a member at the Boston Athenaeum, the granddaddy of private libraries. That library is bigger and grander; the Mercantile is warmer and friendlier and just as good at providing a safe and thoughtful haven in the city.

Highly recommended -- for membership if you live in Cincinnati, or for a stop-by if you're just...

My fiance found this while we were searching for bookstores and libraries to visit while in Cincinnati. Every time we go out of town we visit book stores libraries and comic shops. We're nerds like that. When she found this place we had the idea of getting married in a library and choose this place. We contacted the staff and they were more than happy to host us. Well this past Thursday we invited our family up and we got married on the library's 184th birthday. I was nervous and almost passed out but we made it work. I couldn't imagine doing this anywhere else. The books on display just made me want to read and hang out and spend my whole day there. No matter what happens this library will always hold a special place for us. My wife and I had our first date in a bookstore and we got married in a library. I couldn't...

We are in our third year as family members of the library. The staff is incredible and the space is stunning. It's too bad COVID has made it a little harder to enjoy the space, especially live author talks and book clubs, but members are welcome to drop by the library and there are a ton of virtual events. Once we are allowed to gather again in large groups, make sure you go to one of the signature lectures or author visits. It's an absolute must for anyone who calls...